RNLI Moelfre Lifeboat

16/10/2026

++++++++++++++++++SHOUT++++++++++++++++++++

At 3 pm on 16/10/26, Holyhead Coastguard tasked Moelfre's all-weather lifeboat (ALB) to help Moelfre, Cemaes, and Holyhead Coastguard rescue teams retrieve a dog that had fallen down cliffs on the west side of Cemaes Bay.

After a rough journey along the north Anglesey coast, the lifeboat arrived within 30 minutes of launching. Given the high-risk and complex rope rescue underway, with multiple cliff rescue team members working at the top, the crew launched the *Y-boat to stay close and provide safety cover if needed. They also carried out a water-based search, as the dog hadn’t been seen or heard since the fall.

Luckily, when a Coastguard member was lowered down, they quickly found the dog, which seemed relatively unharmed, and recovered it up the cliff in an animal rescue bag within minutes. Once they confirmed everyone was safe and away from the cliff edge, the ALB was stood down and returned to station.

Coxswain Vince Jones said the dog's location made landing ashore for a rescue too tricky. The priority was to provide safety cover while the cliff rescue teams handled the rope work. Fortunately, it all ended well—the dog was found healthy, and everyone made it home safe. Vince added that dog owners should keep pets on leads near cliffs or areas with seabirds or rabbits, as chasing instincts can sometimes outweigh their safety.

The Y-class lifeboat is a small inflatable rescue boat designed for two crew members, carried aboard all-weather lifeboats. It’s mainly used for operations in shallow or rocky waters, making it ideal for rescues near the shore, in shallow areas, or close to cliffs and rocks where larger all-weather lifeboats can’t safely manoeuvre.

Images by RNLI Moelfre Ian Marlow, Danny Lewis and Coastguard Teams,

13/10/2026

02/10/2026

Sending all of our thoughts and prayers to our RNLI colleagues RNLI Hastings Lifeboat Station today. Everyone at Moelfre is thinking of and sending our condolences to the crew member’s family, friends and fellow volunteers as they navigate through this very sad and difficult time.

Our flag will be lowered to half mast this morning as a mark of respect and solidarity.

28/09/2026

Reminder to tune in to ‘Saving Lives at Sea’ at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 30th September, for one of our most memorable rescues. This episode revisits the moment Ember, a dog, transformed a routine boathouse training session into a rescue that went viral after her anxious owner reported she had leapt off a cliff. Upcoming episodes will feature even more incredible rescues by our volunteers.
Normally airing on Tuesdays, the show moves to Wednesday that week due to a football game scheduling conflict.

We’ll be back on Saving Lives at Sea next week, airing Wednesday, 7 October at 8 PM on BBC Two. When our volunteers stepped in to rescue two brothers after their kayak tipped over.

24/09/2026

On Wednesday (23.09.26), we welcomed Coastal Lifeboat Trainer Simon to the station.
During his visit, Simon oversaw three successful VHF radio licence exams with crew members Ellie, Paul, and Lee, supporting their training plans for mechanic and ILB helm roles.
He also carried out thorough assessments for Dave’s headlauncher pass-out, highlighting the shorecrew management and the launch and recovery procedure.

After the ALB launch, Simon conducted an inshore and all-weather lifeboat shorecrew pass-out for William , marking the culmination of his year of hard work. William will soon follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming the fourth generation of their family to serve as lifeboat crew at Moelfre.

Congratulations to the volunteers on their passouts, and to the rest of the crew who helped ensure those being tested had a strong team supporting them and shared dedication to training and our mission of saving lives at sea.

Image of William, Simon, and Dave.

23/09/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤'𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞.
Today, Wednesday, September 23rd, we’ll launch our inshore and all-weather lifeboats around 6:30 pm.
Please be aware that training times may change or be cancelled at short notice due to callouts or weather conditions. The public viewing gallery will be open.

21/09/2026

In 2018, RNLI volunteers from Moelfre lifeboat station made an unforgettable rescue, launching to save father-and-son kayakers Paul and Joe Rowlands, who were stranded on Ynys Dulas off Lligwy Beach. Luckily for Paul and Joe, the volunteers arrived quickly, as time was of the essence. Young Joe showed remarkable courage during the rescue and was deservedly honoured at the Pride of Britain Awards.

Catch ‘Saving Lives at Sea’ at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 30th September, for one of our most memorable rescues. This episode revisits the moment Ember, a dog, transformed a simple boathouse training session into a dramatic rescue that went viral after her anxious owner reported she’d jumped off a cliff. Future episodes will feature even more incredible rescues by our volunteers. Normally airing on Tuesdays, the show moves to Wednesday that week due to a football game scheduling conflict.

17/09/2026

Tune in to ‘Saving Lives at Sea’ at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 30th September, for one of our most memorable rescues. This episode revisits the moment Ember, a dog, transformed a routine boathouse training session into a rescue that went viral after her anxious owner reported she had leapt off a cliff. Upcoming episodes will feature even more incredible rescues by our volunteers.
Normally airing on Tuesdays, the show moves to Wednesday that week due to a football game scheduling conflict..

The St Helier crew must rescue a yacht before it drifts onto a notoriously dangerous reef.

15/09/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤'𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞.
This Wednesday, September 16th, we’ll launch our inshore and all-weather lifeboats around 6:30 pm.

Please note that training times may change or be cancelled at short notice due to callouts or weather conditions.

12/09/2026

On this day 25 years ago, Richard Evans BEM, fondly known as Dic Evans, a legendary lifeboatman, passed away aged 96. He served as coxswain of the Moelfre lifeboat from 1954 to 1970 and was the proud recipient of two RNLI Gold Medals.

He was only the fifth man in history to be awarded two Gold Medals. Also, he earned numerous other honours: the Thanks of the Institution on Vellum in 1940, the Bronze Medal in 1943, HM The Queen's Silver Medal for gallantry at sea in 1960, and the British Empire Medal in 1969. In 1975 he became an Honorary Fellow at Manchester Polytechnic, and in 1978 an Honorary Bard at the National Eisteddfod.

Dick's love for the sea, passed down from his grandfather, a lifeboatman, and his lifelong dedication to rescue work, made him a local hero whose actions have become an integral part of Moelfre's maritime history. His early years as a merchant seaman and later as a lifeboat coxswain reflect a deep commitment to saving lives at sea, inspiring generations in the community.

By 23, he was captain of the MV Co/tin, but when his uncle John Mathews became full-time lifeboat coxswain, Dick left the sea to run the family butcher's shop, so he could focus on lifeboat work. At the start of World War II, he had hoped to command torpedo boats but instead served in Moelfre as second coxswain and Home Guard signals sergeant.

In 1940, he helped rescue all 60 crew of the SS Geleden after it ran aground following a torpedo strike, earning the Thanks on Vellum. In October 1943, he and the crew saved three airmen from a crashed Whitley bomber, for which he received the Bronze Medal.

In 1959, he earned his first Gold Medal for rescuing the steamer Hindlea during a fierce storm with hurricane-force winds gusting up to 104 mph. The rescue was particularly perilous as the lifeboat launched with only five crew members, one of whom had never been to sea before, highlighting the extreme bravery involved.

In winds gusting up to 104 mph, the lifeboat went alongside the wreck in full view of the cliffs. It was nearly knocked over while manoeuvring, and it took ten dangerous attempts to rescue the eight crew. For this, Dick received the RNLI's highest honour, the Gold Medal.

His second Gold Medal service came on 2 December 1966, when the Moelfre lifeboat launched to help the Greek motor vessel Nafsiporos, disabled and drifting toward Point Lynas. The Holyhead lifeboat also set out to assist. By 3:30 pm, after hours of battling rough seas, Moelfre reached the stranded ship but had to pull away because a lifeboat was hanging near the stern. On the next attempt, no one jumped, but after another run, ten crewmen were convinced to abandon ship. Five more were rescued by the Holyhead lifeboat.

After over 12 hours at sea, Moelfre arrived in Holyhead with the survivors, Dick still at the wheel. For this gruelling mission, he earned his second Gold Medal. In retirement, he devoted himself to speaking for the RNLI and often appeared on TV and radio, including on *This Is Your Life* and as a guest on *Parkinson*.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1304111238280872